Friday's Lovelies!

things learned, originally uploaded by girlhula.

I am so in love with the above photo that I must someday own a HUGE, framed photo just like it only with all my soul sisters holding hands. Must make this happen. Yes.

I saw Ez's tweets last night just after I put my little down to sleep so I couldn't respond properly but I was horrified. I am so glad she is okay. If you are reading this, you must read this : A Lesson in Trusting Yourself, you women especially. You just never know - my gut has never let me down when it comes to grave situations. Trust it.

Love, love, love this Eye Chart How To.

Found this Sunset Mandala Stop Motion in our Flickr Pool - love it so much! You should check out her whole set - FABULOUS!

Download all the fixings you need to hold a "Girl's Rock" class - includes workshop details, name tag PDF & word list! So generous! Carmen rocks!

All month over at Spring they've been talking about self-care, super-great stuff! Check out today's guest video with Jennifer Lee!!

hush

I think this DIY security envelopes stationery set would make a lovely gift.

Wear pink for Cora

I really want to make some of these!

she was known for her extreme secrecy

Um, I love Frontier Ruckus, so much. I've been listening to their newest album, Deadmalls & Nightfalls all morning & let me tell you that it just may be my favorite album this year. A favorite oldie of mine : Dark Autumn Hour - it will forever be etched in my heart.







Jen Lee made the above video after her cameras broke as a reminder that beautiful things can happen even when things fall apart.

Tara wrote a really incredible post about unschooling as a life philosophy. I've been having some health issues recently & so much of what Tara writes just resonates so True to me & one of the things that I'm working so diligently on is unschooling my body, reminding myself that I am not broken. So thank you, so much, Tara, for helping me through this.

Believe. Think. Plot. Act. Create.

Jen Wallace at Indie Fixx started a book club & she and wants to know what's on your reading pile! So do we, let's get some book recommendations going!

7 dazzling ways to ignite your creative spark.

T-minus 10 months : Bindu Wiles has given herself 10 months to make this dream come true. You can so do this, oh yes.



Have a blissful weekend!

Do something you've never done before.


Pin It

our fingers wrapped around each other

Can we please?, originally uploaded by alyssaduhe.

Alyssa Duhe
Blog
Flickr
Pin It

Five Kind Etsy Finds : Sew in Love!

:: 1. Quilters thimble charm necklace by JustJaynes :: 2. Threads White Tunic Top by MoxieMadness :: 3. reel colour - mini-print set by 74LimeLane :: 4. Sew in Love - 8x10 Print by blockpartyprints :: 5. Cut Earrings by SilverAgave ::

Pin It

We Love Our Sponsors : When I Grow Up Coach

Michelle Ward is The When I Grow Up Coach, & has helped over 70 creative people devise the career they think they can't have - or discover it to begin with! A musical theater actress with her BFA from NYU/Tisch & a certified life coach who's been featured in Newsweek and Metro News, Michelle uses a dose of empathy, a shot of butt-kickin', a wagon full of enthusiasm, & a crapload of inspiration to help turn her client's grown-up skills & values into a passionate (& possibly out-of-the-box) career.

Michelle makes her home on the Interwebs tweetin', Facebookin', bloggin', co-hostin' & coachin'/givin' away free stuff at whenigrowupcoach.com. Check out her new Services & make sure that you sign-up for her newsletter to get her downloadable 21-page, 7-exercise workbook for exactly $0! Amazeballs.
Pin It

always refuse to be forgotten

july-12-1, originally uploaded by jillygg.

Pin It

silence is beautiful

in the trees, originally uploaded by Homemade.

Pin It

Giveaway Thursday with Corazón De Galleta!

This week's Giveaway is from Ari at
Corazón De Galleta!

You have a chance to win one of her amazing necklaces & you get to choose between a white or multicolored one!

These necklaces are soooo awesome & I think they would be the perfect way to clothe your creative spirit !

You can also find Ari here:

:: Website :: Etsy Shop :: Blog :: Hidden Faces ::

How to Enter:

Visit Corazón De Galleta & comment with which necklace you'd like if you won, a white or multicolored. Don't forget your email address!

To make this a little easier for everyone you can copy, paste & fill-in-the-blanks:

White or multicolored necklace:
Your Email address, so we can reach you if you win:

Contest ends Wednesday August 4th at 7pm EST - winner will be chosen randomly & will be announced on Thursday, August 5th .


Bonus Entries:

If you do any of the following let us know by leaving a separate comment for each one you do. If you do any of the following already, let us know in an extra comment. Please, please make a separate comment for each of the bonus things that you do or your comment won't count. The separate comments help us to stay organized & makes choosing a winner so much easier...& it also ups your chances of winning! If you have any questions please e-mail us!

1. Follow our blog.
2. Follow Kind Over Matter on Twitter & Tweet about this giveaway.
3. Join our Flickr Pool.
4. Become our fan on Facebook.
5. Subscribe to our updates in your favorite reader or by email with feedburner & you get ONE extra comment.
6. Share a photo of a card drop that you've done & make TWO extra comments.
7. Buy something from Corazón De Galleta & get THREE extra comments!

Thank you soooo much Ari!

Pin It

guess who won!!

Congratulations, Electra!

Big huge thanks go out to Mary, thank you soooo much for letting us feature your work! And thank you to each & every one of you Lovelies that entered this week's giveaway, you are amazing!

Peace, in all you do.
Pin It

the single most revolutionary thing you can do is...

, originally uploaded by beauty that moves.

The single most revolutionary thing you can do is recognize that you are enough
-
Carlos Andrés Gómez

Pin It

You Are Not Alone : Kind Campaign

We've all done it, maybe even today.

Either to her face, or behind her back, maybe she's the woman you saw on the bus ride into work this morning, or you saw her on a commercial on TV or maybe in an ad in a magazine, or she was the girl you sat next to all semester in that one class.

We've all been cruel to other women, either verbally or physically or perhaps just with a catty thought, we've torn each other down because we felt insecure or inferior or that undefinable less than, we've done it because we've been taught to view other women as a Threat instead of a Sister, to see relationships as competitions instead of camaraderie. We've done it because it was done to us.

But this is our opportunity to change, this is Our Chance to begin again, to build our Sisters up, to lift them up, to care for them, even if they're strangers. To say a Kind word to them instead of something hurtful, to start the healing process.

This is the mission of the Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, who created the Kind Campaign.

In their words:

We all want to be liked. It’s already hard enough to accept ourselves for who we are, let alone accept the perceptions and judgments that other girls have of us. Over the years, the vicious ways in which females treat each other have become societal norms. With various media outlets that mock and even glamorize the issue, it seems that society has simply concluded, "That's the way girls are."

We disagree, because we believe that there is goodness within all females, even if that goodness has been shoved aside by the pressures society has placed upon us. What we fail to realize and choose to ignore is the fact that these experiences very often lead to depression, anxiety, loss of self worth, eating disorders, drug abuse, alcoholism, attempted suicide and actual suicide in millions of girls lives.

Smile at her. Say hello. Hold the door open her as she's carrying bags or children or thoughts of the day. Pick up the book that she accidentally drops. If you like her shoes, compliment them. If she misses a class, offer her your notes. Make sure she's ok. Offer her the seat next to you.

You don't have to be best friends, but it's effortless to be kind.

Begin again today.
Be kind.

Connect:

:: Website : Kind Campaign :: Magazine : Kind Magazine :: Bring the Kind Campaign to your school :: Facebook :: Twitter :: YouTube ::
Pin It

A Nice Thing To Do : Make a Happy Tree

The inspiration for this comes from

Little Page Turners' Happy Trees post!

Using leaves, blossoms & berries from their backyard, along with a few pushpins, they gave their trees makeovers!

Adorable!

So adorable that my oldest & I had to make our own tree happy!

See:



Pin It

let's all make a wish

lantern fest, originally uploaded by kevin is your animal spirit.

Pin It

every day is sacred

Diva Kai. 004, originally uploaded by Belen Mata.

When you arise in the morning,
think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive -
to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
-
Marcus Aurelius
Pin It

You Are Not Alone : A number will never define you

Love Yourself., originally uploaded by So Wrong It's Sara.

You are not alone.

I am right there with you.
Pin It

We Love Our Sponsors : Cypress Sun Jewelry

Cypress Sun Jewelry

I'm Amy Friend. A part time yogi, full time stay-at-home-jewelry-biz-mama, a partner to my best friend, and more.

Discovering and creating jewels (often in random ways) has been a lifelong journey and passion for me. Since my grandma allowed me to disassemble a rosary one long morning in the pew. Or since I strung various found items on twine and safety pins and presented them to friends as "roaches" instead of brooches....I have found my place in making objects of adornment.

Cypress Sun Jewelry is inspired by kaleidoscopic reflections of a magical river and the colors of memories. A touch of elegant vintage, with modern moves.

The Zen necklace has become the must have item from Cypress Sun Jewelry. The Summer 2010 Series is available on etsy and in local shops and the Fall Collection is on the way. Zen necklaces are both contemporary and flattering, whimsical and adventurous. These designs feature gemstone and Czech glass hand-wrapped on fine sterling silver chains. One chain balances through a link in the other. Your Zen necklace gracefully changes shape as you move about your beautiful day!

Connect with Amy here:
:: Website :: Etsy :: Blog :: Facebook ::

Pin It

these precious moments

, originally uploaded by nikaa.

Pin It

today you are you

Today You Are You., originally uploaded by jeroldssis.

Card drop by the lovelies over at
Everyday Heartbeats


Chris says:

I have an assortment of little cards that I have printed and carry in my camera bag. Today while at a lakeside restaurant, my 10 yr. old thought Marnie, our server, was the nicest person. He asked me if he could look at my cards so he could give her one. He picked this one and then wrote the note on it. She was so touched and made a point to show it to everyone in the restaurant. Isn't it just awesome to make someone's day?!


LOVE THIS! Thanks so much for sharing it with us in our flickr pool Chris!

Download this set of cards here.

Pin It

blossoming

blossom, originally uploaded by dailypoetics.

Pin It

Kind Kindred : Danielle : White Hot Truth

Happy Monday to all you lovelies! We are so very, very grateful to have Danielle join our beautiful soul clan! You all know her from White Hot Truth & her phenomenal ebook, The Fire Starter Sessions, which Jenn & I both have been reading & adore! Everything Danielle creates is RICH, so full of goodness & just bleeeeeeds love. Thank you Lovely, we are rooting for you, always. Peace to each & every one of you, in abundance, enjoy, xox - Amanda

tokyo waltz, originally uploaded by elevenllc.

"Give until it hurts."
- The Dalai Lama

Once upon a time, I was The Perfume Girl. You know those chicks who stand in the cosmetic section of department stores, all dressed up and smiley, asking if you'd like a spray of the latest sniffy le fou fou? That was me.

Everyday on my way to work, in my heels and shoulder pads, I'd see the same street busker outside the turnstile door playing for coins. He was gorgeous. Tall, dark, and soft with Stag eyes. He was ooo la la Parisian. He played the accordion and sang Edith Piaf in a white blousan.

And…he wore a clown nose.

The dignity. The humility. It broke my heart.

I couldn't take my eyes off him, but I could hardly look at him. And so I never tossed him so much as a nickel. I just watched the little kids walk up and drop money in his purple velvet-lined instrument case.

I wondered how his life had come to this – singing for change in front of The Bay department store. And I then read about him in the community newspaper. His name was Marc. “I hope to be able to make nice Christmas for my family.” (Not so perfect English.) He had a family. He really needed those tossed coins.

I was usually down to ten bucks in my wallet before I cashed my next paycheck. He has a family. I reminded myself.

Finally I mustered my moxy and clip clipped quickly up to him, and in a silly flurry I dropped in a fiver and kept walking.

I made a sharp turn into the nearest alley, buried my face in my purse, and sobbed.

I felt complicit in his humiliation. I felt ashamed at how many times I'd walked by without looking him in the eyes. I felt poor.

And I got what I needed to get in that flood of shame. I got that sometimes we resist The Give, because it hurts to meet the other in their place of need and suffering.

Generosity insists that you join in.

From that moment on I stopped circling the pain I saw. Instead, I let my curiosity pull me closer to it. And when I moved toward it, I found the riches of compassion in action.

Danielle LaPorte is the creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which has been called "the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality." She is the author of The Fire Starter Sessions: A Digital Experience for Entrepreneurs, an inspirational speaker, former think tank exec, news show commentator, and lead author of Style Statement. You can find her on Twitter @daniellelaporte

Pin It

sometimes you just need to cool off

, originally uploaded by lauryn holmquist.

Pin It

truly, oh truly.

_____, originally uploaded by TannerGranger.

Pin It

Friday's Lovelies!

I am so completely smitten with the idea of this Wish Tree that Daniela from Rubber Soul created. They found a tree, hung their wishes from the branches & then left the fixings so others could do the same. The first time she went back to the tree no one had left any wishes. The second time she went back, look what she found. This is so very magical, it moved me to tears. How amazing is it that Daniela gave these people this gift, the gift of giving their wishes voices? I want to do this. I want to do this times 10.

hem

The Great Ding Dong Ditch is over but that doesn't mean that you still can't get in on the fun. Kindness Girl's mission was to Ding Dong Ditch a house (or many) with kindness. What is Ding Dong Ditchin’ you ask? Simply leave something nice on a doorstep, ring the doorbell or knock & run away as fast as you can. This would be such a great summer activity to do with your friends or kids! Don't have the extra money to spend on gifts, you could use some of our Freebies!

I'm such a sucker for a good quote. Check out these awesome Printable Quote Cards Erin made, love them!

Want to learn how to paint? Paint. Want to make jewelry? Make jewelry. Want to write? Write. Want to climb a mountain? Climb. I couldn't agree with this statement more. Tara says Get Some Dirt Under Your Nails, I say, Hell. Yeah.

Speaking of Ms. Tara, this girl is UNSTOPPABLE. With Megan Auman, she went & created herself a Creative Empire. Literally. Rock!

Join Laura in the 90 Days of Kindness Challenge she is holding. Be kind [to one person, cause, thing, whatever] for 90 days. She says, Kindness is radical living. Love it.

5 Great Tips for Bloggers

Susannah is takin' an August Break. Do you need a break from the pressures of regular blogging? Look at August thru your camera lens & blog just a photo a day. Join her here by leaving a comment.

8 Ways to Be More Confident: Live the Life of Your Dreams






Sarah Von shared the above video -- it seriously made my day & gave me the tingles. Thank you, Sarah!

Jen Lee has a new podcast up -- I love it so much! You can go here for a list of her older podcasts.

Gala Darling's 100 Ways You Can Start Loving Yourself Right Now is an oldie, but goodie, I re-read it at least every other week. My fave ways to get some self-love started : media black out days & setting enormous goals for yourself. Because, why not? Speaking of Gala Darling, she's got an awesome giveaway going on right now -- you should totally check it out!

I love this interview featuring Carmen Torbus that went up on Your Courageous Life! Carmen always gets me so jazzed on things, reading her interview helped get me out of my head & refocus. Thank you, Carmen.

Um. this video? Blew. My. Mind. I was peeking at Darrah Parker's blog & found the video that Jen Lemen made about Picture Hope & wow. Beautiful.



Pin It